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Identification and Characterization of Dust Source Regions Across North Africa and the Middle East Using MISR Satellite Observations
Author(s) -
Yu Yan,
Kalashnikova Olga V.,
Garay Michael J.,
Lee Huikyo,
Notaro Michael
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2018gl078324
Subject(s) - spectroradiometer , satellite , moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer , environmental science , aerosol , remote sensing , middle east , climatology , atmospheric sciences , geology , meteorology , physical geography , geography , reflectivity , physics , archaeology , optics , engineering , aerospace engineering
Motivated by limitations in current satellite‐based dust source identification techniques, this study examines dust emissions and concentrations over North Africa and the Middle East during 2000–2016 by analyzing stereo and optical products from the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer instrument on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration polar‐orbiting Terra satellite. Based on the occurrence of fast‐moving, near‐surface dust plumes from the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer cloud motion vector product, dust sources in the study region are identified in geographical depressions, including the Bodélé Depression, which represents the leading source. The West African El Djouf desert generates substantial dust emissions, which are typically underestimated by aerosol loading‐based dust source identifications. In response to local vegetation cover anomalies, dust emissions and concentrations increased at 15% year −1 over the Middle East and decreased at 12% year −1 over the central Sahel during 2001–2013 but partly recovered toward their climatological means afterward.